Bridal Magazine Bonanza

Warmed up next to our second cup of coffee. ZMW and I just noticed, with relief, that the blizzard outside has ceased. Where are we? Downtown A2 at our favorite bookstore, surrounded by PILES of bride magazines.

So far, the morning has been the perfect embodiment of engagement bliss. Snuggled next to one another I am so happy and grateful for my obliging fiance who humors me as I try very hard to take his wedding day suggestions. Seriously, I'm really not that bad...at least, I don't think (:

First, I should express the relief and excitement that we've been catapulted into since locking down our reception and now recently, our ceremony locations! It seems that my endless perusal of bridal magazines is an attempt to either inspire or confirm my wedding theme and surprisingly, it has been really fun. While I mostly imagine the music, dancing and general partying it seems that in the backdrop, I also see details...

I'm loving the idea of a white theme with gold accents - perhaps a general theme of romantic glamour that pays some homage to my Filipino roots. Specifically, I see orchids, calla lilies and other white local flowers, white candles and golden candle holders, napkins, etc. I shy away from 'stuffy' but I love old world elegance with touches of local romance and drama. It will be fun to explore ways to incorporate ZMW's goofy, fun loving energy and alternative taste for music to our wedding style.

The wedding item of note, however, is the wedding dress. Seriously, what's up with all these strapless ball gowns? If I see another exposed clavicle and wannabe princess bride in a magazine, I seriously think I'm going to...fill in the blank. Next on my to-do list is to make appointments with the two bridal boutiques in the state that carry some of the designers that I like.

Next up - considering vows and ceremony touches...stay tuned!

Comedy of the Races!

It's a topic that we don't usually like to venture into in this country. Indeed, history (and the present) does not always paint the prettiest of pictures. But in my world, it was become a topic of healthy, cramp-in-my-side comedy in and outside of the office.

Being one of three people of color in my company, it is a funny side-topic that often comes to surface. In the most serious tone, it is obvious that the paths into certain professional niches in this country are not as 'equal opportunity' as the ideal would be. The tacit understanding among those of us that 'got in' is that we have a privilege that others in our situations do not have. To be sure, we express feelings of gratitude, not entitlement.

Nevertheless, instead of dwelling on our differences - we make fun of them! Since the summer, I have been teasing members from my team of being embodiments of the now famous blog, Stuff White People Like. ZMW bought me the book the other day for laughs as I attempt to quell the inevitability of stress from time to time.

Below are some of my favorites. Why? Because they're true.

Stuff White People like:

Religions Their Parents Don't Belong To - White people will often say they are "spiritual" nut not religious. This usually means that they will believe in any religion that doesn't involve Jesus. The most popular choices include Buddhism, Hinduism, Kabbalah, and, to a lesser extent, Scientology. A few even dip into Islam, but that's much rarer, since you have to make REAL SACRIFICIES and actually go to a mosque...

Organic Food - Because of the balance of global wealth and power, there is a general assumption that white people are pretty shrewd. And for the most part, history has proven this to be true. But white Popel have on great weakness: organic food...in spite of the fact that most organic food is made by major agribusiness, which is just uses it as an excuse to jack up prices, white people always lose their mind for organic anything. Never mind the fact that if the entire world were to switch to 100% organic food tomorrow there would be mass starvation and famine.

Diversity - White people love ethnic diversity, but only as it relates to restaurants...they talk about how great it is that they can get sushi and tacos on the same street but they will also sent their kids to private school with other rich white kids so that they can avoid the "low test scores" that come with educational diversity.

Asian Girls - (!!!!) 95% of white males have at one point experienced yellow fever. Many factors have contributed to this phenomenon, such as guilt from head taxes, internment camps, dropping the nuclear bomn, and the Vietnam War...Asian girls date white men to get back at their strict traditional fathers. There is also the option of dating black guys, but they know deep down that this would give their non-English-speaking grandmothers a heart attack....Another factor that draws white guys to Asian women is that white women are jealous of them. Take for instance, the fact that Asian women well into their 30s and 40s retain teen or college-girl looks without the help of Botox, yoga, or a trendy diet...

Yoga - Though its roots are in India, the global tree of yoga has most of its branches in rich white neighborhoods. Yoga has been so thoroughly embraced by white people because it requires a large amounts of money and time, two things white people have a lot of. Yoga is essentially stretching with guidance. Advanced yoga is just regular yoga in a very hot room.

For those of you who are too insulted to say anything, don't worry: as an Asian, I am engaged to a white guy, am really smart, can't speak English too well, eat TONS of rice, act EXOTIC all day long, fan myself when I'm hot (instead of turning on an air conditioner), take tiny 'geisha' steps when I walk and enter rooms to the sound of a GONG.

:)

Too Cold? No Way!

Winter time in Michigan can be a challenge. Most people like to simply hole up for the very cold months but not us, which seems like a reasonable thing to do. Heck, BEARS do it – but not us. While we’ve created a wonderful, cozy new home, where we can enjoy board games, legos, hot tea, movies and other fun indoor activities the outdoors still calls us!

Me & AFJW at the top of the hill

On Saturday we met up with my younger brothers for more ‘cold’ activities. On the docket: sledding! By the looks of things, we’re convinced that she’s ready for snowboarding and cross country skiing. I was expecting some hesitation from her as we boarded the toboggan for the first run but alas, she didn't even flinch!

Williamson Boys + AFJW

Of course, MJW was the photographer snapping shots at the bottom of the hill with Sasa until it was his turn to take a ride down on the toboggan! I'll save you from the story of our crash landing with the poor pup - oops!

Ode to the pup :)

Posed at the bottom of the hill.

In other 'snow' sport news, a few weeks ago, AFJW's took her few steps on ice skates. At first she was a little shaky, but after 5 minutes she had lost all fear of the ice and skated for the first time! She has uncanny balance for a 4 year old and managed not to fall too many times!


MJW: AFJW, are you ready to head in? We should warm up
AFJW: Nope, let's go around two more times, then I will take a break and we can come back out.

Clearly, the activity was a hit.

This skating walker was abandoned within 10 seconds! Her skills and confidence were beyond having a blue walker!

Stay tuned for snowboarding at Mt. (hill) Brighton!! More wintry post and photos to come! YES!

Reception Location - CHECK!

As many of you know, ZMW and I are in the throes of wedding planning. We are less than a year away from the big day and we are proud to have ticked off some major "To-Do's" from our list -- not the least of which is our reception location! We are getting married in Manila, at the Edsa Shangri-La hotel, which is set in lush tropical gardens in the heart of Manila's business and shopping district.



We're now in the middle of finalizing our ceremony location and are happy with how things are coming along. On the whole, the idea of planning these myriad details can give me a headache, but taken in pieces, it has SO FAR been stress free.

The truth is that while we SO EXCITED for the epic family reunion and amazing music program, we're VERY excited for a honeymoon, which we have incidentally already booked... ;)

El Nido Resorts, Palawan

Dance Dance Dance

I'm relieved to say that I'm making it through the first work week of the year in one piece. With a number of big changes coming into the new year (new house, new commute, new schedule for AFJW, etc) it has been a wonderful surprise to see how our new routine has been an improvement and how much we love our new space, among other things!

In terms of activities, as mentioned in earlier entries, AFJW has begun many. Now, she's not the only one! ZMW and I began our first week of ballroom dancing lessons and we are thrilled! Despite sneaking into the first class LATE, we quickly learned a lovely series of dance steps and are very excited to learn more.

From the number of engaged couples in the room, I can't say that our idea was all that original but I do know that this has been something I've been wanting to get into for a while now. Growing up, my parents and their friends have always been able to rip up a dance floor and I've always enjoyed watching their graceful steps. Moreover, I have really come to appreciate how dancing has been a lifelong activity for many of them - a perfect activity for date nights - at 50 years plus, no less!

To continue the week's apparent theme of 'dancing' we attended the Russian National Ballet's Sleeping Beauty last night and I have to say that I was mesmerized. Graceful and effortless, they were a beautiful sight. Today, we watch AFJW glide across the floor during her ballet lesson ;)

New Year!

Happy New Year (as stated on our goofy hats below)!

We spent the New Year with my side of the family for dinner and our friends Ben and Melissa for the after-party :). A quiet evening Eve dinner of ribeye and then some Paella was followed by 'several' shots of Petron...something I haven't done since - I don't even want to recall!!

Dinner with the J's

Round 1? 2? 3? Who knows?

Ben & Melissa

New Year's day was one of recovery and quiet reflection as ZMW and I enjoyed the morning together before picking up AFJW at her Lolo and Lola's...


As my vacation rounds out, I have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to sleep in, catch up on reading and eating as if there was no tomorrow. (Of course, this is why we have the new year - so I can tell myself that I'll be doing something soon to stop stuffing my happy belly!) To be sure, it's been a long time since I've spent this much alone time with AFJW and truth be told, it's been fun settling in to our new house with her as poor ZMWJ slaved away at work. (It wasn't really that bad.)

Cheers and much love to everyone in the new year!

Christmas Highlights Part II

We rounded out the "Christmas" celebration with some quality time with G & G W and TRW. Anna revelled in yet another present fest and we enjoyed having some laid back time with one another.

The W generations :)

Yea!

The lovely, Grandma W...

I'm buttering him up to take me out fly fishing!!

Grandma W gives herself away, wishing for grand-DAUGHTERS with a little girl onesie hidden in her closet!!

Who teased who? It's a toss up!